It is our first concert playing together and will be broadcast live on the BBC

https://wellcomecollection.org/events/jazz-line-improvising-memory

TORI HANDSLEY TRIO - London Jazz Festival 2017

10th November 2017 - Spice of Life, London

6 Moor St, Soho, London W1D 5NA

Delighted to be be invited to play for the renowned man in jazz, Paul Pace, for his night at the Spice of Life for the London Jazz Festival, alongside Pixel all the way from Norway. Set to be a great night....

Tickets available here:

http://efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/events/pixel

Freedom September 4th 2017

Express yourself #Freedom. No rules, no preconceptions, no boundaries, just music in the moment. As always cross genre and cross generataional welcoming artists from all walks of life.

If you need some positive, liberating vibes in your life, come down on Monday 14th August, to celebrate our diversity and the power of human expression #Freedom

Curated by Orphy Robinson, Cleveland Watkiss and Tori Handsley, we continue to welcome a diverse selection of artists, of all musical walks of life, and experience, to get up on stage together and improvise in the moment - no rules, no boundaries, no preconceptions. We have welcomed artists including Shabaka Hutchings, Mark Mondesir, BJ Cole, together with many young up and coming artists, all venturing out together into the unknown.

Game of Thrones - Tori Handsley Style

For all you Game of Thrones lovers, check out my new arrangement and version of the theme tune here for the new series!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LAqTwJRdYY

30th July - Pat Thomas Residency at Oto, London

I'm very honoured to have been asked to play for the final night of PAT THOMAS' (piano) 4 Day Residency at the renowned Improvisation Venue, Cafe Oto, London.

One of the most creative, powerful musicians I have had the pleasure of meeting and playing with to date. His biography is vast, most recently he was the winner of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award.

It's set to be a great night, and a great residency I highly recommend.

https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/events/pat-thomas-four-day-residency/

New collaboration... watch this space!..

Alongside working on my new album with Tori Handsley Trio, I've been excited to work with some other fantastic projects and like-minds this year.

Following the Binker & Moses Album launch, I was delighted to meet up to play with Nikki Yeoh - a pianist I've followed and looked up to for many years, for her fire, conviction and prowess of the piano, recently winning 'Instrumentalist of the Year in the JAZZ FM Awards'.

Aside from the music, it also turns out has a shared love of cats!...

watch this space....

Performance Coaching

Just had a great, positive session coaching one of my understandably nervous teenage pupils, who's singing at her first festival! Working on keeping on going no matter what happens, being true to the music and believing in herself.

5 Star Review in Evening Standard! - Binker & Moses Album Launch

"There's a jazz revolution going on all over London right now, in back rooms, pop-up clubs and hidden warehouse spaces like Dalston’s Total Refreshment Centre, and young guns Binker & Moses are leading the charge.

"This packed gig marked the launch of Journey to the Mountain of Forever, the second album from the semi-free jazz duo, with a mesmeric first half that featured Binker Golding on tenor sax and Moses Boyd on drums, their chemistry, like their love of everything from funk to grime, Coltrane to Caribbean rhythms, obvious.

"Post-interval, an expanded line-up proved as inspiring as it was audacious, as trumpeter Byron Wallen, harpist Tori Handsley, drummer Yussef Dayes and the free-sax icon Evan Parker joined Golding and Boyd in a wild ride that soared outside comfort zones and into another realm entirely. Different tones and textures — rim clicks, a muted trumpet, deep harp riffs — were given space; solos came, stunned and went. But it was the sheer improvisational force wielded by these musicians in the moment, on the same tip, that drew whoops and catcalls.

"This was exploratory music, very often galvanised by Parker, whose fluent whorls of sound seemed to invest Golding’s shamanic tenor with even greater power, while Wallen’s trumpet skronked, Handsley threw new shapes and Boyd and Dayes layered their fast-shifting grooves. Together, they reached peaks then went higher, and higher still. Phenomenal."

An honour to be a part of the 2nd Moses & Binker Album 'Journey to the Mountain of Forever' and excited it is now available for pre-release on Gearbox Records. Featuring Evan Parker-saxophone, Tori Handsley - harp, Byron Wallen - trumpet, Yussef Dayes - drums & percussion, and Sarathy Korwar - tabla.

I'm very excited to have launched Day 1 of the Behind the Scenes Diary for the Tori Handsley Trio Debut Album, on our MEMBERS PAGE, exclusively for supporters, as a thank you for pre-ordering the album!

https://www.torihandsleytrio.com/members-area

Please let me know if you haven't received the PASSWORD and I'll message it over!

Tori

Put your mind to it - the world is your oyster!...

Over the moon and so incredibly proud of my teenage student who rose to the challenge of taking Grade 8 piano, from start to finish, in under 2 terms, and he did it!! And with top marks for musicality!!

Quite an astonishing achievement, not having taken his grade 7 too, and whilst also doing 3 intense A levels.

Put your mind to it, focus, and give it your all, whatever happens and you can do it!!...

Hedsor House Open Day! Thursday 18th May

Delighted to be playing for the striking Hedsor House, the set for many films including the Golden Compass, Spooks and the Quartet, for their in house wedding showcase.

Hedsor House Showcase - 18th May 5-9pm.

I will be playing a selection of my rock, reggae, and jazz arrangements for the harp. Come down!

Deeply touched....

..by these kind words from Paul Bradshaw, Straight No Chaser - Former Editor/Publisher; Ancient to Future

"I first met Tori Handsley through the radical Warriors International 'FREEDOM! The Art Of Improvisation' sessions. Her punky attitude and bold approach to the harp led me to working with her on the 'Enlightenment - In The Spirit Of 'A Love Supreme' concerts.

"Tori's radical new trio is built around her own carefully crafted compositions and features excellent electric bassist Ruth Goller and in-demand trap drummer Moses Boyd. This threesome joins a new generation of trios, like GoGo Penguin, who are pioneering new dimensions, expanding expectations and successfully reaching out to fresh audiences. Time to check them out."

I'm over the moon to announce that the TORI HANDSLEY TRIO will be going into the studio shortly to record our DEBUT ALBUM, featuring my original compositions and 2 of my absolute favourite creatives: Ruth Goller (bass) & Moses Boyd (drums)

After a hell of a lot of years of blood, sweat, tears, hopes and fears,.. this is honestly one of the most exciting milestones of my life.

Over the years I have been so touched by everyone's enthusiasm and what spurs me on with what I am trying to do with the harp. The project has been entirely self-funded up until this point however, and if you are able to support us with this major undertaking by PRE-ORDERING our album, we would so SO appreciate it.

Please see our GoFundMe page with other tasty rewards too, including t-shirts+tote bags and more!...

https://www.gofundme.com/tori-handsley-trio-debut-album

Performance Coaching

Had a wonderful coaching session today with a head teacher, dealing with difficult challenges, that come with positions of great responsibility and care.

We worked together on strategies for: INNER RESILIENCE - how to deal with challenging, confrontational situations as positively as possible. Also, how to lead a team more positively, to PERFORM collectively as confidentally and authentically as possible under pressure, to be the best they can.

We discussed the all importance of being in the present, and how to encourage others with strategies to do the same: to be in the moment to see as clearly as possible, react and go with the flow.

Feeling blessed for the lessons of creativity and to people for letting me in to help with their plight for their cause!

Freedom: The Art of Improvisation - 17th October

What a great cross generational night it was! Amazing to see so many enthusiastic, new young faces diving in, and getting involved and so many of them said they just heard about it through the grape vine and took a punt and loved it. Seeing the enthusiasm on people's faces just makes it all worth while and just the same as when I first came along to play before I started hosting. And it's still my favourite night of the month!

Apparently a whole family of 6 came along who don't usually go to live music nights, had no idea what to expect, and loved it. Really an honour for us to have so many daring, new bods, both in the audience and on stage, and feeling the love back.

Thanks so much to EVERYONE for their continuing passion and telling the world what we do! This is a totally grass roots night, fuelled by us, and watching the night build and explode out into new audiences has been a pleasure to see and be a part of. We hope to continue to bring a warm, welcoming atmosphere for everyone to step out and improvise in the moment together. No rules, no boundaries, no expectations, but anything is possible!

Freedom: The Art of Improvisation - October Sessions

FREEDOM! Monday 17th October at the Vortex, London.

For open ears, open minds, come down and be inspired, create with us with courage in the moment.

We're blessed to have a myriad of cross-generational artists passing through - so much new, young talent coming along and stepping out, and also many of the great masters popping by between tours, so continue to spread the word.

As always, musicians, artists, audiences of all walks of life welcome - come and be a part of the journey!

Some people just make your day...

from some amazing people I recently had the pleasure of playing for....slightly choked up right now!

"What a find!

If you want someone and something special for your big day then book Tori. Effervescent and absolutely charming as well as extremely talented. Tori is an absolute delight to work with and so warm to all who meet her that you cannot help feel enchanted. The tone of her harp will add magic to any event and when played by Tori creates a unique atmosphere, be it classical, jazz or pop. The range is vast with so many styles that there is always something for everyone. Booking her will be one of the best features of your event.

Tom & Jen August 2016"

Freedom: The Art of Improvisation - 8pm - Monday 8th August

Freedom! This Monday at the Vortex 8pm £6.
Come down and get involved, listen, hang out....

We welcome artists from all walks of life and genres - no restraints or preconceptions - just music in the moment! so do spread the word if you know anyone else who would like some freedom in their life!

http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/events/2016-08-08/

'Maths' composing session!...

Had such a totally out of this world session with one of my youngest nippers I work with, making up a song about: 'Maths!' As you do!....

turned out to be the best composition! All about all the shapes and movements of the world and him playing Pat Thomas style out-there piano (at times thrusting his arm all over the piano!) to illustrate the world, with different mad sounds!

Small people sometimes set the coolest example, and our job to keep them free!

Tori Handsley Trio plays Freedom Festival 2016 - 25th September 2016

Tori Handsley Trio will be returning to The Vortex on Sunday 25th September for a special show as part of the Freedom Festival 2016

Here's the i player link for last night's show for anyone who missed it, featuring our newest song 'Rivers of Mind' and some touching words from Jez Nelson..... listen at 1hr-1hr7mins in

The rest of the show is awesome I might add, if you are able to check it out too, do!

http://www.jazzfm.com/player/od/5750/

Tonight! Live on 'Somethin' Else' Jazz FM with Jez Nelson - 17th July

Blessed to hear that renowned Radio presenter Jez Nelson of Jazz on 3, will be playing some of our music tonight from TORI HANDSLEY TRIO on his show "Somethin' Else" on Jazz FM. Listen NOW until 1am!!!...

Honoured to have the support from someone so revered in the industry and to be played in a line up alongside Miles Davis and Wynton Marselis.

120 STRINGS - Pat Thomas & Tori Handsley

What a great evening and journey last night it was at the Vortex playing with Pat Thomas for the debut of our new duo - 120 Strings. Feeling really alive and excited about the potential of music and live creativity :)

thanks everyone who came down for the journey! thanks to Orphy Robinson and Cleveland Watkiss for their mind bending, mental menageries of sound

wonderful people in the world

This made my day and makes me remember why I do what I do and what a privilege it is to play for and to meet such lovely people in the world.

"Hi Tori

Just to say thank you again so much for your wonderful performance at mum's birthday party on Sunday. It was ABSOLUTELY fantastic thank you so much. It meant a great deal to all of us, not just your beautiful music but how lovely you were to everybody as well and they all absolutely love you.

So thank you again and next time we're having a party hopefully we'll give you a call and see if you can come over for that.

Thanks very very much and best wishes to you.

Take care, lots of love.

Lorraine & Richard"

TORI HANDSLEY TRIO @ Ronnie Scotts Upstairs- what a night! ....

Thanks again to everyone who made "Classical Kicks @Ronnie Scotts Upstairs" the experience it was and all you lovely folk who sprung down to surround us. It was a really special evening.

Hosted by the fantastic Lizzie Ball - who reminded me of a classical Jools Holland!... springing here there and everywhere with different ensembles!

There was certainly a lot of improv and the evening reminded me of the importance of the experience and the journey, enjoying each moment... and whatever happens the music keeps going! And what better people to be playing with for the ride than the lovely "Roses" aka Ruth Goller and Moses Boyd. These 2 musicians each have such a unique way ... and as someone said afterwards it must be fantastic being in the middle of that melding pot... and it truly is.

Highly recommend checking this night out in future if you weren't able to come. Watching the other musos more classical set, their commitment to each note, the intensity and emotion of the music was intoxicating. At one point I had to walk out as I almost burst into tears - thanks Gabriella Swallow!

Ali Ward on sound who came specially for the evening, was outstandingly diligent and lovely to work with as ever, creating a spaghetti junction to serve the sprawl of musicians and gear!

Big up finally to Steven Cropper for his super pic!
http://www.transientlife.uk/

Tickets - Tori Handsley Trio @Ronnie Scotts Upstairs - Tomorrow!

Just a note to let anyone know who is hoping to come tomorrow, the tickets are apparently selling like hot-cakes, so we are advising people to book in advance if you are planning to come.

Really excited to be playing for a fantastic genre-busting night "Classical Kicks" Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts, presented by Lizzie Ball, violinist in the Jeff Beck Band and lead violinist for Nigel Kennedy.

Wow! ....An exciting time and honoured to be a part of the new beautiful Documentary Film release from the Freedom Festival which exploded onto the scene last summer, expanding on our monthly sessions at the Vortex.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO2qXtVH_ZI

BIG thanks to Ali Carter – one of the Directors of Warriors International for all her dedicated quiet work behind the scenes for the Festival and getting this immense film out there, exploring important topics not often talked about.

The film features many incredible young artists on the scene I was lucky to play alongside, Cath Roberts Beibei Wang Sahra Gure Nubya Garcia Philip Achille Zuri Jarrett-Boswell renelle shaw - and many of the great masters showing the road ahead Tony Kofi Rowland Sutherland Pat Thomas Steve Beresford Edmund Claude Deppa Byron Wallen Ansuman Biswas Mark Mondesir to name but a few.... the road goes on!

If you're interested come down and join us every 2nd monday of the month for the ongoing Freedom monthly sessions at The Vortex. Next one 8th February!

Deep heart felt thanks to Cleveland Watkiss Orphy Vibes Robinson Ali Carter Paul Bradshaw and the rest of the freedom team for their vision, and unwavered passion and dedication to music and improvisation.

What an amazing night it was!! Queues of people waiting outside round the block and continued to pour in through the night! Thanks to everyone in the audience who came down for the ride, and the hoards of incredible eclectic artists who came from far and wide, including so many young new faces - you all made it what it was.

Thanks to Orphy and Cleveland for creating the night and letting me share my passion for improvisation and help out with the most special night I've even played on. Big shout out to Paul Bradshaw for making the vibe what it is and keeping up the banging tunes so none of us wanted to go home!!! Ali Ward on sound as always our trusty steed working quietly in the background making it all happen, going with whatever the next wild, sonic concoction maybe! Thanks also to The Vortex and all the volunteers for hosting such a fantastic evening and making such a great community space.

Next Freedom is Monday 7th December, and in the meantime hope you enjoy the pics!

FREEDOM The Art of Improvisation - London Jazz Festival 2015

I am very excited to be co-hosting a very special "Freedom: The Art of Improvisation" for the EFG London Jazz Festival, on the Saturday 14th November 2015. from 11.30pm till LATE!

We are expecting a myriad of the best of London's talent, musicians, artists and everything in between!

Open to all creatives and listeners alike who want to come down for the unexpected!.....

NJANAS Premier @ The Vortex 29th October 2015

Seriously great evening yesterday playing with such open, modest yet powerful women for the female driven Njanas Project - originally inspired by the great Frida Kahlo. Fantastic to musically meet the driving force Ettore Fioravanti and evocative electronics of Michaël Grébil and special thanks to Olie Brice for stepping in last minute so valiantly on bass and doing such an expert job. top class evening!

Many thanks to all who came down, The Vortex and all the fab volunteers for hosting the night, Steven Cropper for taking such brilliant snaps as always, and to everyone for such avid feedback afterwards.

RONNIE SCOTTS - ENGINES ORCHESTRA - 1ST OCTOBER 2015

A great pleasure to be playing as part of the Engines Orchestra, alongside the Phil Meadows Group at the legendary Ronnie Scotts.

“A great orchestra that have managed to mix so many genres.” - Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2)

See Ronnie Scotts website for more info & tickets
http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/performances/view/2906-engines-orchestra-phil-meadows-group-lifecycles

Teaser Video & New Website - Freedom: The Art of Improvisation

It is a serious honour to be co-hosting Freedom Art of Improvisation Sessions every 2nd Monday of each month at the Vortex, and the very first Freedom Festival which debuted in June this year.

https://youtu.be/xgc_XnrpuRc

This is something very close to my heart in many ways, embracing improvisation, not in a particular style, but as an ethos; creating a space where people can have fun, be in the moment, take chances, and explore the unexpected; something for me that is an honour to be sharing with everyone and now co-hosting the sessions with two of the most fantastic artists and people I have been privileged to meet: Orphy Robinson and Cleveland Watkiss - something I wouldn't have even dreamt of happening and am truly grateful for.

Here is the first teaser film of things to come created by the brilliant Ali Carter. hope you enjoy.

"I first met Tori Handsley through Warriors International FREEDOM! The Art Of Improvisation sessions. Her punky attitude and bold approach to the harp led me to working with her on the 'Enlightenment - In The Spirit Of 'A Love Supreme' concerts. Her Meltdown/QEH collaboration with flautists Rowland Sutherland and Emi Watanabe was deeply memorable while the enlarged ensemble featuring Orphy Robinson, Pat Thomas and Ansuman Biswas, which played the Union Chapel last December, showed her to be totally at one with her heavyweight compadres. Tori's radical new trio is built around her own carefully crafted compositions and features excellent electric bassist Ruth Goller and in-demand trap drummer Moses Boyd. This trio potentially adds another dimension to what Manchester based Go Go Penguin has recently pioneered live. Check them out."

I will be playing with trio at the fantastic venue the Vortex with some incredible musicians: Ruth Goller on bass (Acoustic Ladyland), Moses Boyd on drums (Young Jazz Musician of the Year), and special guest Chantelle Nandi on vocals.

We will be venting some new material too for the very first time with this wonderful line-up.

Tickets £10 - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/323618

http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/events/2015-07-26/

INTERVIEW with MICHAEL EDWARDS, UK VIBE MAGAZINE - 8th July 2015

A great honour to be interviewed by Michael Edwards from UK Vibe Magazine, one of the most infectiously enthusiastic and passionate men I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking to in the music scene.

http://ukvibe.org/interviews/tori-handsley-2015/

JAZZ IN THE ROUND - 25th May 2015

I'm really happy to have been asked back to play for Jazz in the Round, hosted by Jazz on Radio 3 presenter Jez Nelson, where I performed with my Trio last year.

This time I have been invited to play for the Solo Set, and I will be playing a completely improvised set....so the evening will be a surprise for me too!

It should be a wonderful evening of music, also featuring the Marc Cary Focus Trio from the US and The Rob Luft band.

Nice news to hear that the Engines Orchestra, (whom I recorded Lifecycles Album with last year,) won the Ensemble of the Year 2015 in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Run by Phil Meadows, featuring a host of wonderful performers, including Laura Jurd, Conor Chaplin, Elliot Galvin, Simon Roth, Alice Zadawski, Matt James Roberts amongst others.

Warm thanks to Michael Edwards of UK Vibe Magazine for his avid and detailed review of the TORI HANDSLEY TRIO show during the London Jazz Festival at the Vortex Jazz Club.

"Ms Handsley is the embodiment of the term ‘Alternative Jazz Musician’. The fact that she is a harp player who heads up a Jazz trio, to some would be alternative enough. However on first viewing, the site of a young lady attired in casual street gear of of trademark Hi Top trainers and ‘torn at the knee’ jeans, a Miles Davis image imprinted black t-shirt and black trilby hat, perched behind such an imposing yet beautiful stringed instrument would scramble many people’s pre-conceptions of a ‘typical’ harpist.

"However, once the angelic and ethereal solo harp vibes of ‘Settling Into The Sun’ permeated throughout the intimate space of Vortex Jazz Club, all present were instantly brought under Tori’s magical spell and any preconceptions melted away in a nanosecond."

Read the full review here:

http://ukvibe.org/excursions/tori-handsley-trio-vortex/

Photo credits: Nadjib Le Fleurier

TORI HANDSLEY TRIO - Featured in Guardian Gig Review Guide 2015!!

Unbeknownest to me, I just found out that my band, the TORI HANDSLEY TRIO, performing one of my recent compositions 'Home,' was chosen to represent the Vortex Jazz Club, London, in the Guardian Gig Review Guide 2015!! Also one of my favourite venues for live music in the UK and voted venue of the year in Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2013.

Just had a little boy break dancing around me whilst I was playing some Jimi Hendrix... Gigs don't get much better than this!

LIVE PAINTING BY PAINTER OF LIVE MUSIC - ARTIST GINA SOUTHGATE

Tickled pink to be greeted by renowned artist Gina Southgate, painter of live music, during two of my gigs in the London Jazz Festival.

Featured here with her incredible painting from my gig with my band the TORI HANDSLEY TRIO at the Vortex.

GINA SOUTHGATE:

http://artistginasouthgate.weebly.com

UK VIBE MAGAZINE - FREEDOM: THE ART OF IMPROVISATION

Honoured to be mentioned in the recent UK Vibe piece on FREEDOM by Michael Edwards. Featuring interviews with: multi-instrumentalist and initiator of Jazz Warriors International Orphy Robinson, who I had the privilege of meeting whilst I was playing with Nigel Kennedy, and has been a great inspiration to me over the years and great pleasure to still be working alongside; and also curator / publicist Paul Bradshaw (Straight no Chaser).

See the full review:

http://ukvibe.org/excursions/freedom/

UNION CHAPEL - 9TH DECEMBER

An indescribable pleasure to play last night alongside some of the UKs top jazz musicians: Rowland Sutherland, Emi Watanabe, Pat Thomas, Orphy Robinson and Ansuman Biswas.

A dream even to play with them, and the icing on the cake was also being invited to bring in one of my new replica watchescompositions 'Remembering Kenny', after the late Kenny Wheeler.

Come along the Vortex on the 17th November where we will be playing for the London Jazz Festival 2014, to hear it live in its full glory with the band!

BOOK TICKETS http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/event/tori-handsley-trio/

Composed and performed by Tori Handsley.

14th August 2014 - TORI HANDSLEY TRIO @ Spice of Life

Very happy to announce I will be playing with my band TORI HANDSLEY TRIO at the Spice of Life – London – 14th August 2014. One of my favourite haunts to see live music and run by the infamous Paul Pace for over 25 years, also of Ronnie Scotts, and winner of Jazz Parliamentary Award for Services to Jazz 2007.

The evening will also feature the fantastic piano player Mike Guy and his band which should be a treat!

14th August - Spice of Life, 6 Moor Street, Soho, London, W1D 5NA.

Doors 6pm, Music 8pm

TICKETS: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/284634

http://blog.spicejazz.co.uk/

http://www.torihandsleytrio.com

TORI HANDSLEY TRIO Announced to be playing for London Jazz Festival 2014

Enormous privilege to have been asked to play with my band for this year's LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL at the Vortex Jazz Club - Venue of the year 2013. One of my favourite venues to see live music and where I've been going to see bands for nearly 10 years! Can't wait!

Book Tickets via the link below:

http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/event/tori-handsley-trio/

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/279187

www.torihandsleytrio.com

7th - 8th July 2014 - ENGINES ORCHESTRA

Recording for Phil Meadow's Engines Orchestra @ Angel Studios London

My home for the next 2 days, after a very early start! Just waiting for the music and for my eyes to open....

LOVE SUPREME 2014

My awesome dad at Love Supreme Jazz Festival for his 70th birthday.

A man of few words but without I wouldn't be into jazz was it not for all the gigs he took me to over the years, including McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarret, Courtney Pine, Branford Marsalis, and all the music he started me listening to when I was knee high to a grass hopper. Got me back into music and jazz too many years ago when I had lost my love for the arts, and realised without I probably wouldn't have met many of the people I have, or played with. I finally start to try to repay the favour.

John Coltrane's A Love Supreme- Re-envisioned @ Southbank 22nd June

A truly amazing night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and honour to be a part of, featuring some of the most incredible jazz and improv players I've been lucky to encounter, and lovely people and spirits. People who have come to mean a lot to me over the years and represent what I love about jazz and music and what it's all about for me.

Rowland Sutherland's interpretation of John Coltrane's Love Supreme was a serious work of art and tapestry of sounds from beautiful arranged sections, to mental no holes barred free improv! Mind blowing experience!

"Harp player extraordinaire Tori Handsley releases her first musical offering in the form of a self titled four track EP.

"The trio who first performed together at the end of summer 2013 sound like a well oiled and seasoned jazz combo, playing off each other to maximum effect. This is evident from the get go with one listen to the opening track ‘Setting in the Sun’, an impactful and punchy track with a chugging urgency that once it grips you draws you in further.

"The unity, oneness and intuition between the musicians is a joy to behold as they bounce off each other, with Tori’s subtle, teasing harp playing dancing in between the drum and bass. The mystical air of ‘Mistake of Thinking’ is embellished by the gentle and soothing introduction of Chantelle Nandi’s vocal inflections towards the tail end of the tune, which intertwines with the musical notes beautifully.

"With at least three changes of tempo and rhythm throughout, ‘What’s In A Tune’ definitely keeps the listener in the moment. As if giving a musical narrative to the short story of ‘The ‘Tortoise and the Hare,’ the tune races away at one hundred miles an hour, with all guns blazing, before abruptly arresting after two minutes and thirty seconds leaving just the clear, crisp and compelling solitary harp playing of Ms Handsley to slow the BPM down dramatically for the next minute or so. Once again first the bass and then the drum are stealthily reintroduced as the tune builds to another full on high tempo musical attack. The tune continues to undulate throughout; eventually leaving the listener washed up on imaginary seashore completely spent but satisfied.

"Overall the Tori Handsley Trio have served up a very impressive introduction to their sound and musical styling. Be ready to be beguiled by Ms Handsley’s perfectly precise laid-back tones...."

Read more @ http://ukvibe.org/

Review of Love Supreme Reinvisioned - 22nd June 2014

Lovely review of 'Love Supreme Reinvisioned' at Queen Elizabeth Hall, one of the nicest gigs I've had the pleasure of being a part of recently. Nice bit about the trio with Rowland Sutherland and Emi Watanabe which has just been confirmed I will also be playing with during the LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL at the Servant Jazz Quarters on the 20th November 2014!

"A beautiful rearrangement by Sutherland of the Joe Henderson tune Earth played by the inspirational and eloquent Emi Watanabe on Japanese flute, with Tori Handsley teasing out some gorgeous jazz harmonies on harp and Rowland himself suitably soulful and earthy on alto flute." Sarah Chaplin

Extremely honoured to be playing alongside some incredible musicians on the UK jazz and improvisation scene for the opening set of 'JOHN COLTRANE'S LOVE SUPREME RE-ENVISIONED' as part of the MELTDOWN FESTIVAL.

28TH APRIL - TORI HANDSLEY TRIO @ JAZZ IN THE ROUND, for Live Jazz on Radio 3 with Jez Nelson

TORI HANDSLEY TRIO will be performing for Jazz in The Round on the 28th April, Live Jazz on Radio 3 with Jez Nelson. A beautiful intimate setting, the cockpit theatre, where I have seen many awesome bands play, and we are very honoured to be playing for!

Tickets available via:

http://thecockpit.org.uk/show/jazz_in_the_round

For upcoming gigs you can also follow TORI HANDSLEY TRIO @ https://www.facebook.com/ToriHandsleyTrio, or email management@torishands.com to be added to the mailing list.

Just found out my tune 'Settling into the Sun' was played live on JAZZ FM on 'The Cutting Edge with Mike Chadwick: the very best in contemporary jazz covering a variety of styles, it’s an exciting tour of current and upcoming releases in the world of jazz.'

...."in a moment, speaking of great music, is a recommendation from Philip Martindale, who tipped me off to this young lady, who is making some amazing music on the harp, and I will play it for you next on Jazz FM! Fabulous ...torihandsleytrio.com if you want to get hold of that, and I suggest that you do. Definitely one to watch!!"....

"When people believe in boundaries, they become part of them." Don Cherry

Drawing by Tori Handsley

MUSIC INTERACTION at the Bridge Specialist School

November 2010...until hopefully the ever future present!

Wednesday mornings are a real highlight to my week, when I volunteer to work at the Bridge School, for the music interaction session with the PMLD children (profound multiple learning difficulties), an essentially improvised session, using call and response amongst other methods to hopefully instigate vocal responses and communication between us and the children.

It is a truly inspiring, ongoing experience, in particular working alongside the highly versatile musician Mark Hanson, with his incredible ability to relate to, understand and connect with all the different, beautiful, little personalities in this session. Someone I feel highly indebted to for letting me in to this precious session, and creating such an unique environment, which to me however completely encapsulates and embraces the indescribable and powerful nature of music, beyond words, that I really believe in.

Photograph by Julian Peter – a wonderful photographer and insightful individual, who also helps with the sessions. www.julianpeter.co.uk

Particularly check out new composition and Track 1 'Kestrel', which the band have totally run with and I'm loving! Also featuring the wonderful force Chantelle Nandi.

Track 2, 'Mistake of Thinking', (which incidentally is not a general comment on thinking!) in the spirit of its free beginnings, Chantelle now features on, after she happened still to be in the studio when we were recording the track, and I said ‘join in if you like’...and she did, and took it to some other new beautiful places!

Massive thanks again to all those involved for all their time and energy, and to Graham Godfrey for his atmospheric recipe for musical madness. Wouldn't have been the same without you!

If you would like to buy a CD - please email: info@torishands.com

Recording session with TORI HANDSLEY TRIO - 1st Sept 2013

An indescribable day recording with the Trio - courtesy of Graham Godfrey and his divine vibes – really made the atmosphere, and to the boys, Harry Pope (drums) and Misha Mullov-Abbado (bass) and Chantelle Nandi for their undivided and devoted energy. Some really sensitive moments feeling it out together, coupled with some seriously rocking heavy sections!

Something magic happened today I could not have prescribed and journeys I couldn’t have imagined. Couldn't have asked for more to capture the music and feelings right now.

No further words, but brought some things to life in ways I didn't think possible.

Thank you SO much to all involved

And watch this space for the new EP!...

Tori Handsley Trio at the Spice of Life...

Awesome gig last night monster thanks to Harry Pope, Misha Mullov-Abbado, Chantelle Nandi for all their energy and amazing creativity. Oh and the guy who held my music whilst the air con was blowing ferociously at the piano.

What a great club to play and big thanks to Paul Pace, Benjamin Amure and the everyone at the Spice and for such a warm crowd that really made the atmosphere. Stella opening set from Bruno Heinen & Ruben Fox.

A real privilege to be playing tonight on stage with Jazz Warriors, including Cleveland Watkiss, Pat Thomas, Claude Deppa & Chantelle Nandi - the kind of people I used to dream of playing with, and some beautiful indescribable moments of free improvisation you couldn't write or have planned but just happen...everything I truly love about creativity.

Feeling very lucky for the paths life has led me down and the amazing people I have been lucky to encounter along the way!

Playing with Solus 3 @ The Vortex Jazz Club, London

31st May - Solus 3 - Vortex Jazz Club London

Really looking forward to playing with Solus 3 and their improvised soundscapes, at one of my favourite jazz venues in London – The Vortex - and Winner of Live Jazz Venue in 2013 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

"Stalking a slinky, unlikely path between improvisation, dub and modern classicism, SOLUS3 are truly a law unto themselves." Uncut April 2013

If you’re around and fancy coming down, should be a great night – I can’t wait!

Good vibes and lovely trio gig yesterday, with Chris Nickolls and Tim Fairhall. Good to give new tunes first airing too! Thanks guys!

https://soundcloud.com/tori-handsley

JAZZ HARP Experience @ The Daffodil - 20th May

Delighted to be asked back to play at the striking Daffodil venue in Cheltenham for one of their featured jazz nights. A thoroughly enjoyable night of upbeat funky jazz, which certainly kept me on my toes too! (at about 7 pedals a second I think at one point!!..) Featuring fantastic line up: Erica Clarke (saxophone), Costa Tankready (electric bass), & Matt Jones (drums).

Tickets via We Got Tickets-£5 in advance/ £7 on the door. http://www.wegottickets.com/event/216896

Photo Credits: BENJAMIN AMURE PHOTOGRAPHY

JAZZ HARP Experience - New Website Launch

Very excited to announce the launch of the new website for the jazz harp and saxophone project, in collaboration with the wonderful Erica Clarke:

The JAZZ HARP Experience

Born out of a mutual love for jazz, focusing on upbeat and unusual music, including jazz, pop and soul, to create new sounds and arrangements you might not expect to hear from a conventional harp and saxophone combo!

Tori and Erica have been working and performing in the music industry for the last 10 years with artists including Nigel Kennedy, and Neil Cowley & at venues including Ronnie Scotts, The Vortex Jazz Club, Blenheim Palace, Highclere Castle, Tower of London and Montreaux Jazz Festival.

A memorial concert I am doing for a very special client and man to me, Frank Stephens, who unfortunately recently passed away. This will be a celebration and memorial to him and the support he gave to my music, in his church where he always said he would like me to play. The concert is open to everyone and should be a lovely afternoon. The church put on yum cakes and tea after too!

Interesting what goes on in the world without you knowing!..(although I did obviously know about the concert!)

My dad just showed my this in the paper and asked if it was me?!... glad to know my dad also knows my name. although I think perhaps might have been his dry sense of humour.

And dammit I’m Miss Handsley if we must be formal!!

Photo credits: Luke Penketh

Playing with JAZZ WARRIORS - Launch of Cr8

22nd March

Fantastic night of free improv playing with the Jazz Warriors Orphy Robinson and Cleveland Watkiss. Thanks for having me down guys - absolute privilege to be there - had a great time and wicked vibe!

ps - I particularly liked the A natural in bar 562.5

Recording session with KAIROS4TET

7th March: Great day recording with amazing jazz group on the scene and MOBO award winners: Kairos 4tet, Jules Buckley and some fantastic players. Made me play 'football' for a while and may have even persuaded me to do a glissando, or two...!

you can check out their awesome tunes here - loving Russel's Resurgance

http://www.kairos4tet.com/

In remembrance of the wonderful Frank Stevens.

I played for Frank & Hazel's Golden Wedding Anniversary many moons ago, and last year I was so pleased to be asked to play again for him, this time his 80th birthday. He and Hazel then came to see me play with my Trio earlier this year, booking tickets immediately after I emailed him only on the off chance he could come.

I’ve played for many people in my life, but Frank was one of those few people you feel really privileged to have met, who really made a big impression on me and how I’d love to aim to live my life. He was such a kind and appreciative lovely man, and his church, where he always said he wanted me to play, was bursting at the seams for his funeral for which I recently played.

My best wishes to Hazel and all his family.

NATURAL FORMS PRIVATE VIEW - RCA

9th May 2012

Performing for the Natural Forms private view at the Royal College of Art. Pictured here with the legendary artist John Norris Wood.

CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL - May 2012

After an amazing week of gigs in London and Oxford playing with my trio, despite looking forward to a weeks slight restbite!, I was really chuffed to be asked to go down to play with Alex Steele (piano), and his trio – Matt Jones (drums) and Clive Morton (bass). Beautiful musicians to have the opportunity to play with, and really sensitive, versatile players, which was very much appreciated after a pretty nerve racking few weeks and a five minute soundcheck to boot!

New film I’m really excited to have been released for the free improv performance group FEAR I work with at the Royal College of Art, with stunning visuals and beautiful edited sound by Liam Taylor and Len Massey respectively:

This was an experience I will never forget playing with Nigel Kennedy, one of my childhood heros, who I’ve looked up to since a young age for his passion and unwavering dedication to the music, regardless of any conventional dictations of style; breaking boundaries to communicate music to all types of people, and has been a huge inspiration to me.

Performing in the most stunning amphitheatre with the Philharmonic Orchestra; during sound check with music fluttering over the stage (as sudden huge gusts of wind conveniently arrived just as the orchestra did!) it was a real privilege to be part of such a creative concert.

An intense week of rehearsals in the charming, cobbled streets of Plovdiv, culminated in a rollercoaster of a concert, breathing new life into music from one of the jazz legends Duke Ellington.

NIGEL KENNEDY – ELLINGTON / BACH TOUR

Bad Worishofen, Germany – September 2010

I was delighted to be asked back to perform with Nigel and the band, for the final concert of the Ellington / Bach tour in Bad Worishofen, Germany. Another phenomenal, challenging and creative week!

It was amazing again to see the constant drive and energy of Nigel, to motivate every individual and constantly pushing the music. It was incredible also to see the live, dynamic energy as he was accompanied by Cora Lunny for the Bach double, as they dipped and dived through the music, viscously spurring each other on.

Such an honour to play with Nigel and each of the individual musicians and to have the opportunity to take part in such an inspiring, progressive collaboration.